BIOGENIC AMINE DETECTION IN VIVO AND IN VITRO: A COMBINED HISTOCHEMICAL AND X-RAY ANALYTICAL STUDY

ABSTRACT Since during glutaraldehyde fixation biogenic amines form stable Schiff monobases with an affinity for hexavalent metals, it is possible to detect the presence of these amines by x-ray microanalysis. To evaluate the reactivity of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, L-dopa, serotonin and other biogenic amines to glutaraldehyde-dichromate treatment, reactions were performed on Sephadex columns, beads from which were subsequently prepared for TEM and x-ray microanalysis. Evidence of Cr binding is presented by L-dopa, DA, NE, 5-HT and 5-hydroxytryptophan in vitro and by secretory granules in enterochromaffin and carotid body glomus cells.